Preparing for the Cost of the Youth America’s Cup

The second edition of the Red Bull Youth America´s Cup for sailors will see top national teams face each other in Bermuda during the 35th America’s Cup in 2017. Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill, who was instrumental in driving the project into existence, sees the fleet racing event as a vital step.

“There are so many good young sailors out there, who just need to know there is a way forward, a path to get into the America’s Cup,” remarks Spithill. “Now with the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, it’s clear that there is.”

But that doesn’t mean the opportunity comes cheap. With limited branding opportunities permitted, the local Bermuda team expects a $200,000 budget will be needed to compete. Among the costs included in the  Notice of Race are:

• Non-refundable entry fee of US$40,000.
• Damage deposit bond of US$25,000.
• Contribution to third party insurance of US$13,500.
• Support boat at all times with qualified chase boat driver that is trained in first aid and emergency medical response.

While six teams will be affiliated America’s Cup teams, those youth teams seeking entrance through the selection process will incur additional costs. And while the Bermudian team budget won’t require travel and accommodations, other teams must prepare for those costs.

Each team consists of six people at least 19 years of age and under 25 years of age. Notable is that all crew for each team must be nationals of the country their team represents… a clause that the America’s Cup has yet to apply to itself.

It is expected that competing teams will invest significantly in training time, which will require the acquisition of a suitable training boat and support. Teams will be provided foiling AC45s for the schedule within the Notice of Race:

7 day training plan.
2 day qualifying series (up to 16 teams).
2 day final series (8 top teams).

To view the Notice of Race… click here.